December 26, 1991 is the official date of the collapse of the USSR. A day earlier, President Gorbachev announced that, for "reasons of principle," he was retiring from his post. On December 26, the Supreme USSR adopted a declaration on the collapse of the state.
The collapsed Union included 15 Soviet Socialist Republics. The successor of the USSR was the Russian Federation. Russia declared sovereignty on June 12, 1990. Exactly one and a half years later, the leaders of the country announced their withdrawal from the USSR. Legal "independence" December 26, 1991.
The Baltic republics proclaimed their sovereignty and independence earlier than anyone else. Already on 16 1988, the Estonian SSR declared its sovereignty. A few months later in 1989, the Lithuanian SSR and the Latvian SSR also declared sovereignty. Even Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania received legal independence somewhat earlier than the official collapse of the USSR - on September 6, 1991.
On December 8, 1991, the Union of Independent States was created. In fact, this organization failed to become a real Union, and the CIS turned into a formal meeting of the leaders of the participating states.
Among the Transcaucasian republics, Georgia was the fastest to secede from the Union. The independence of the Republic of Georgia was declared on April 9, 1991. The Republic of Azerbaijan declared independence on August 30, 1991, and the Republic of Armenia on September 21, 1991.
From August 24 to October 27, Ukraine, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan announced their withdrawal from the Union. For the longest time, besides Russia, Belarus (left the Union on December 8, 1991) and Kazakhstan (left the USSR on December 16, 1991) did not announce their withdrawal from the USSR.
Failed attempts at independence
Some Autonomous Oblasts and Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republics also previously attempted to secede from the USSR and declare independence. In the end, they succeeded, though together with the republics to which these autonomies were part.
On January 19, 1991, the Nakhichevan ASSR, which was part of the Azerbaijan SSR, tried to secede from the Union. After some time, the Nakhichevan Republic, as part of Azerbaijan, managed to leave the USSR.
At present, a new union is being formed on the territory of the post-Soviet space. The unsuccessful project of the Union of Independent States is being replaced by integration in a new format - the Eurasian Union.
As part of the Russian Federation, Tatarstan and Checheno-Ingushetia left the Soviet Union, which had previously tried to leave the USSR on their own. The Crimean ASSR also failed to gain independence and withdrew from the USSR only together with Ukraine.
The collapse of the USSR is one of the most important events of the 20th century. Until now, the meaning and reasons for the collapse of the Union cause heated discussions and various kinds of disputes both among political scientists and ordinary people.
Causes of the collapse of the USSR
Initially, the highest ranks of the largest state in the world planned to preserve the Soviet Union. To do this, they had to take timely measures to reform it, but in the end it happened. There are various versions that convey the possible causes in sufficient detail. For example, researchers believe that initially, when the state was created, it should have become entirely federal, but over time the USSR turned into a state and this gave rise to a series of inter-republican and inter-republic problems that were not given due attention.
During the years of perestroika, the situation escalated considerably and acquired an extremely character. In the meantime, the contradictory ones were gaining more and more scale, economic difficulties became insurmountable, and it became completely clear that the collapse. It is also worth noting that in those days the most important role in the life of the state was played by the Communist Party, which even in a certain sense was a more significant bearer of power than the state itself. It was what happened in the Communist system of the state that became one of the reasons why the Soviet Union collapsed.
The Soviet Union collapsed and ceased to exist at the end of December 1991. The consequences of the collapse took on an economic character, because it caused the collapse of a large number of established ties that were established between economic entities, and also led to the minimum value of production and its production. At the same time, access to foreign markets ceased to have a guaranteed status. The territory of the collapsed state has also significantly decreased, and the problems associated with the insufficient development of infrastructure have become more tangible.
The collapse of the Soviet Union affected not only economic relations and states, but also had political consequences. The political potential and influence of Russia has significantly decreased, and the problem of small segments of the population who lived at that time in the territory that did not belong to their fatherlands became acute. This is only a small part of the negative consequences that befell Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
"The indestructible union of the republics of the free" - with these words began the anthem of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. For decades, the citizens of the largest state on the globe sincerely believed that the Union was eternal, and no one could even think about the possibility of its collapse.
The first doubts about the inviolability of the USSR appeared in the mid-1980s. 20th century. In 1986 there was a protest demonstration in Kazakhstan. The reason was the appointment of a person who had nothing to do with Kazakhstan to the post of General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Republic.
In 1988, a conflict between Azerbaijanis and Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh followed, in 1989 - clashes between Abkhazians and Georgians in Sukhumi, a conflict between Meskhetian Turks and Uzbeks in the Fergana region. The country, which until now was in the eyes of its inhabitants a "family of fraternal peoples", is turning into an arena of interethnic conflicts.
To a certain extent, this was facilitated by the crisis that hit the Soviet economy. For ordinary citizens, this meant a shortage of goods, including food.
Parade of Sovereignties
In 1990, competitive elections were held in the USSR for the first time. Nationalists who are dissatisfied with the central government gain an advantage in republican parliaments. The result was the events that went down in history as the "Parade of Sovereignties": the authorities of many republics begin to challenge the priority of all-union laws, establish control over the republican economies to the detriment of the all-union. In the conditions of the USSR, where each republic was a "workshop", the collapse of economic ties between the republics exacerbates the crisis.
Lithuania became the first union republic to declare its secession from the USSR, this happened in March 1990. Only Iceland recognized the independence of Lithuania, the Soviet government tried to influence Lithuania through an economic blockade, and in 1991 used military force. As a result, 13 people died, dozens of people were injured. The reaction of the international community forced an end to the use of force.
Subsequently, five more republics announced their independence: Georgia, Latvia, Estonia, Armenia and Moldova, and on June 12, 1990, the Declaration on State Sovereignty of the RSFSR was adopted.
union treaty
The Soviet leadership seeks to preserve the disintegrating state. In 1991, a referendum was held on the preservation of the USSR. In the republics that have already declared their independence, it was not held, but in the rest of the USSR, the majority of citizens are in favor of maintaining it.
A draft union treaty is being prepared, which was supposed to transform the USSR into a Union of Sovereign States, having the appearance of a decentralized federation. The signing of the agreement was planned on August 20, 1991, but was thwarted as a result of an attempted coup d'état undertaken by a group of politicians from the inner circle of Soviet President M. Gorbachev.
Belovezhskaya agreement
In December 1991, a meeting was held in Belovezhskaya Pushcha (Belarus), which was attended by the leaders of only three union republics - Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. It was planned to sign a union treaty, but instead the politicians stated the cessation of the existence of the USSR and signed an agreement on the creation of the Commonwealth of Independent States. It was not, and not even a confederation, but an international organization. The Soviet Union ceased to exist as a state. The liquidation of his power structures after that was a matter of time.
The successor of the USSR in the international arena was the Russian Federation.
Sources:
- The collapse of the USSR in 2019
Eleven years before the collapse of the USSR
On the morning of May 20, 1980, Ronald Reagan (US President) received William Casey (CIA director), who provided Reagan with new information about the state of affairs in the USSR, namely, Casey presented unofficial classified materials about problems in the USSR economy. Reagan liked to read such information about the USSR and in his diary on March 26, 1981 he made the following entry: the USSR is in a very bad position, if we refrain from loans, they will ask for help from others, because otherwise they will starve to death. Casey personally selected all the information on the USSR, bringing his old dream closer - collapse of the USSR.
On March 26, 1981, W. Casey arrived with a report to Reagan. Casey provided new information about the state of affairs in the USSR:
The USSR is in a very difficult position, there is an uprising in Poland, the USSR is stuck in Afghanistan, Cuba, Angola and Vietnam. Casey insisted that the best time to the collapse of the USSR does not exist. Reagan agreed and Casey began to prepare his proposals for collapse of the USSR.
Members of the working group leading the collapse of the USSR
Ronald Reagan, William Joseph Casey, George W. Bush, Caspar Willard Weinberger
In early 1982, Casey, in a private meeting at the White House, proposed plan for the collapse of the USSR. For some senior Reagan administration officials, the proposal for collapse of the USSR came as a shock. Throughout the 1970s, the West and Europe accustomed themselves to the idea that it was necessary not to fight with the USSR, but to negotiate. Most believed that there was simply no other way in the era of nuclear weapons. The NSDD plan went the other way. On January 30, 1982, at a meeting of the working group, the Casey plan was adopted to deploy covert offensive operations against the USSR, under the heading top secret, it was called the "NSDD plan" (the Reagan administration's directive on the strategy, goals and aspirations of the United States in relations with the USSR). The NSDD plan clearly stated that the next US goal was no longer coexistence with the USSR, but to change the Soviet system. The whole working group recognized the necessary achievement of one goal - collapse of the USSR!
The essence of the NSDD plan for the collapse of the USSR was as follows:
- Secret, financial, intelligence and political assistance to the Polish Solidarity movement. Purpose: to preserve the opposition in the center of the USSR.
- Significant financial and military assistance to the Afghan Mujahideen. Purpose: the spread of war on the territory of the USSR.
- Secret diplomacy in the countries of Western Europe. Purpose: to limit the access of the USSR to Western technologies.
- Psychological and information warfare. Purpose: technical misinformation and the destruction of the economy of the USSR.
- The growth of weapons and maintaining them at a high technological level. Purpose: undermining the economy of the USSR and exacerbating the crisis of resources.
- Cooperation with Saudi Arabia to reduce world oil prices. Purpose: a sharp decrease in the receipt of hard currency in the USSR.
CIA Director W. Casey realized that it was useless to fight the USSR, the USSR could only be destroyed economically.
The preparatory stage for the collapse of the USSR
In early April 1981, CIA Director W. Casey traveled to the Middle East and Europe. Casey had to solve 2 problems: lower oil prices and increased resistance in Afghanistan. Therefore, Casey visited Egypt (a supplier of weapons for the Afghan Mujahideen). Here Casey told President Mohammed Anwar al-Sadat (a friend of the CIA) that the weapons that Egypt supplies to the Afghan Mujahideen are scrap! The USSR cannot be defeated with him, and he offered financial assistance in order to start deliveries of modern weapons. However, Sadat was not destined to follow the instructions of the CIA chief, because. 6 months later he was shot dead. But the United States still managed to supply the Afghan Mujahideen with weapons worth 8 billion dollars!!! So the Mujahideen got the first Stinger air defense system. This is the largest covert operation since World War II.
The CIA chief then visited Saudi Arabia. The analytical department of the CIA calculated that if oil prices on the world market fell by only $1, then the USSR would lose between $500 million and $1 billion a year. In return, Casey promised the sheikh protection from possible revolutions, protection for family members, the supply of weapons, guaranteed the inviolability of personal deposits in US banks. The sheikh agreed to the proposal, and Saudi Arabia's oil production skyrocketed. So in 1986, the losses of the USSR from the fall in oil prices amounted to 13 billion dollars. Experts already realized then that Gorbachev would not be able to carry out any breakthrough and perestroika. Modernization required 50 billion dollars, and it was them that the NSDD plan took away from the USSR.
Casey also managed to persuade the sheikh of the secret participation of Saudi Arabia in the Afghan war and the strengthening of the Afghan Mujahideen by the Saudis. At the time, the modest owner of a construction company, Osama bin Laden (terrorist No. 1 in the world), was recruited with the money of the sheikh.
After Saudi Arabia, the CIA chief visited Israel. The first points have already begun to work, the next stage in the collapse of the USSR is an information and psychological war, without which the collapse of the USSR might not have been. As conceived by Casey, Israeli intelligence Mossad was to play a decisive role. Casey suggested that Israel use American spy satellites to obtain information about Iraq's nuclear facilities, as well as materials on Syria. In response, Israel opened part of its residency in the USSR to the CIA. Channels have been established.
The beginning of the implementation of the plan for the collapse of the USSR
The United States decided to carry out economic sabotage against Poland. One of the authors of this plan was Zbigniew Brzezinski. The meaning of this plan was that Western partners supplied enterprises to Poland, assuring that they would take the products produced at these enterprises in the form of payment, and after the launch of the enterprise they refused to take the products. Thus, the sale of products was slowed down, and the amount of Polish foreign currency debt climbed up. After this sabotage, Poland was heavily indebted, in Poland they began to introduce cards for goods (cards were even introduced for diapers and hygiene products). After that, workers' strikes began, the Poles wanted to eat. The burden of the Polish crisis fell on the economy of the USSR, Poland received financial assistance in the amount of 10 billion dollars, but Poland's debt remained at 12 billion dollars. Thus began a revolution in one of the socialist countries.
The US administration was sure that the revolutionary fire that had begun in one of the countries of the USSR would lead to destabilization throughout the USSR. The Kremlin leadership, in turn, understood where the wind of change was blowing from, intelligence reported that Polish revolutionaries were receiving financial assistance from Western countries (1.7 thousand newspapers and magazines were published underground, 10 thousand books and brochures were operating, underground printing houses were operating), on the radio " voice of America" and "free Europe", Polish revolutionaries received covert orders about when and where to strike. Moscow repeatedly pointed out the outgoing danger from abroad and began to prepare for intervention. The CIA intelligence decided to oppose Moscow with the following trump card: Casey flies to Rome, where there was a key figure with influence on the Poles - it was the Pole Karol Jozef Wojtyla, after enthronement - John Paul II (primate of the Roman Catholic Church from 1978 to 2005). The CIA remembered well how the Poles greeted John Paul II when he returned to his homeland. Then millions of excited Poles met their compatriot. After meeting with Casey, he begins to actively support the Polish resistance and personally met with resistance leader Lech Walesa. The Catholic Church begins to financially support the resistance (distributes humanitarian aid received from Western charitable foundations), provides shelter for the opposition.
Report of the CIA director on the collapse of the USSR
In February 1982, at a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House, the director of the CIA again reported on the work done. The loss of tens of millions of dollars, the tense situation in Poland, the protracted war in Afghanistan, the instability in the socialist camp, all this led to the fact that the treasury of the USSR was empty. Casey also said that the USSR is trying to replenish the treasury with Siberian gas supplied to Europe - this is the Urengoy-6 project. This project was supposed to give the USSR colossal funds. In addition, Europe was strongly interested in the construction of this gas pipeline.
Disruption of the Urengoy-6 project as one of the reasons for the collapse of the USSR
From Siberia to the borders of Czechoslovakia, the gas pipeline was supposed to be laid by the Soviet Union, but imported pipes were required for laying. It was then that the US administration imposed a ban on the supply of oil equipment to the USSR. But Europe, which was interested in gas, and which, by agreement with the USSR, had a significant 25-year discount on gas, secretly (the government secretly supported smuggling suppliers) continued to supply the necessary equipment for the USSR. The US administration sent a man to Europe who campaigned in Europe for American coal, natural gas from the North Sea, and also for synthetic fuels. But Europe, feeling the benefits of cooperation with the USSR, continued to secretly help the USSR build a gas pipeline. Then Reagan again instructed the CIA to deal with this problem. In 1982, the CIA developed an operation according to which gas equipment was supplied to the USSR through a long chain of intermediaries, the software of which was deliberately bugged. These bugs were exploited after installation, resulting in large explosions on highways. As a result of these sabotage, Urengoy-6 was never completed, and the USSR again suffered losses in the amount of 1 trillion. dollars. This was one of the reasons for the bankruptcy and collapse of the USSR.
Another covert operation to destroy the USSR
On March 23, 1983, Reagan proposed deploying a system that was supposed to destroy enemy nuclear missiles in space. The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) or "Star Wars" was about creating a large-scale space-based missile defense system. According to this program, the United States was supposed to launch satellites with laser weapons into geostationary orbits, which would constantly be located above the base of nuclear missiles and could shoot them down at the time of their launch. The US administration, with the help of this program, intimidated the USSR and continued to drain the economy of the USSR. The United States was told that one day all Soviet missiles would become a pile of unnecessary metal. Soviet scientists began to study SDI and came to the conclusion that a powerful energy pump was needed for the operation of a laser weapon, and in order to hit a flying rocket, the diameter of the laser beam should be the size of a pinhead, and according to scientists, the diameter of the laser beam from the rocket turned into a circle of light with a diameter of 100 sq. meters. Scientists have argued that SDI is a bluff! But the Soviet Union continued to devote too much time and effort to SDI, while the United States acted from a position of strength in negotiations on missile defense with the USSR.
Gorbachev also tried to somehow raise the economy of the USSR, he counted on high oil prices, but oil prices fell from 35 to 10 dollars per barrel. Instead of improvement, Soviet citizens felt worse, store shelves became empty, and soon, as during the Second World War, cards appeared. The collapse of the USSR entered its final stage.
Date of the collapse of the USSR
Date of the collapse of the USSR December 26, 1991. As a result the collapse of the USSR the territory of Russia has decreased in comparison with the territory of the USSR by 24%, and the population has decreased by 49%. The unified armed forces and the single currency fell apart, and interethnic conflicts sharply escalated.
The collapse of the USSR, which resulted in the formation of 15 independent republics, is one of the main events of the 20th century.
After all, in a short period of time, one of the two superpowers suddenly ceased to exist. This radically changed the political and economic picture of the world.
In this article, we will touch on the main reasons for the collapse of the USSR, as well as consider its consequences.
By the way, if you like it at all, then we recommend reading it. Very short and informative.
Date of the collapse of the USSR
The official date for the collapse of the USSR is December 26, 1991. It was then that the great empire completed its history.
Brief background
The formation of the Soviet Union, as a state, took place in 1922 during the reign. Then, under , the USSR turned into a superpower.
At the same time, during its existence, its boundaries have changed several times. This was due to the fact that the republics included in its composition had the right to secede from the Union.
However, the Soviet government constantly emphasized that the USSR was a close-knit family consisting of different peoples.
At the head of the USSR was the Communist Party, which controlled all the organs of power.
The final decision on who should head this or that republic always remained with the central leadership in.
Causes of the collapse of the USSR
To answer this question, one should consider many factors that led to the collapse of the USSR.
At the same time, it should be noted that some people perceived the collapse of the Soviet Union with joy and jubilation. This was due to the fact that many wanted to gain independence and live by their own laws.
For others, the collapse was a real shock and tragedy. For example, it was especially difficult for communists and people devoted to the ideas of the CPSU to believe what had happened.
Let's look at the main reasons for the collapse of the USSR:
- Autocracy of power and society in the state, as well as the fight against dissidents;
- Conflicts on ethnic grounds;
- The only correct ideology of the party, strict censorship, the absence of political opposition;
- Economic deficit in relation to the production system;
- International collapse in oil prices;
- Many failures concerning the reform of the Soviet system;
- Global centralization of state apparatus;
- Criticism about the introduction of Soviet troops into Afghanistan (1989).
It goes without saying that these are far from all the reasons that led to the collapse of the USSR, but they can be considered key.
Perestroika of the USSR
In 1985, he became the new Secretary General of the USSR. He embarked on a course of perestroika to change the ideological and political system.
Under his leadership, reforms began to be carried out aimed at achieving comprehensive democratization and the rejection of the socialist system.
Under Gorbachev's rule, many KGB documents were declassified, thanks to which many crimes of the previous government became known to the public. This was the so-called publicity policy.
Glasnost led to the fact that Soviet citizens began to actively criticize the communist system and its leaders.
As a result, new political currents appeared that came up with various programs for the further development of the state.
Mikhail Gorbachev repeatedly came into conflict with Boris Yeltsin, who insisted on the withdrawal of the RSFSR from the USSR.
The collapse of the USSR
The crisis and the subsequent collapse of the USSR manifested itself in different ways. In addition to the economic and political impasse, the state faced a sharp drop in the birth rate, as evidenced by statistics for 1989.
Store shelves were literally empty, and people often couldn't buy basic necessities.
The communist leadership in countries such as Poland, Czechoslovakia and Romania has been replaced by new democratic leaders.
In one republic after another, mass demonstrations and protests begin. In Moscow, people take to the streets demanding the overthrow of the government.
On March 10, 1991, the largest anti-government rally in the history of Soviet power took place on Manezhnaya Square in Moscow. Hundreds of thousands of people demanded Gorbachev's resignation. All this played into the hands of those who called themselves democrats. Their leader was Boris Yeltsin, who every day gained more and more popularity and respect of the people.
Parade of Sovereignties
In February 1990, members of the Central Committee of the CPSU publicly announced the weakening of the monopoly on power. Within a month, the first elections were held, as a result of which the nationalists and liberals received the greatest support.
In the period 1990-1991, the so-called "parade of sovereignties" took place throughout the USSR. Ultimately, all the union republics adopted the Declaration of Sovereignty, as a result of which the USSR ceased to exist.
The last president of the USSR
One of the main reasons for the collapse of the USSR was the reforms carried out by Mikhail Gorbachev in relation to Soviet society and the system.
He himself came from a simple family. After graduating from the law faculty of Moscow State University, he headed the Komsomol organization, and later became a member of the CPSU.
Gorbachev confidently moved up the career ladder, gaining authority among his comrades-in-arms.
In 1985, after the death of Konstantin Chernenko, he became the General Secretary of the USSR. During his reign, Gorbachev introduced many radical reforms, many of which were ill-conceived.
Gorbachev's reform attempts
A big commotion in the USSR was made by the so-called dry law, which includes a complete or partial ban on alcoholic beverages.
In addition, Gorbachev announced the policy of glasnost, which we have already spoken about, the introduction of cost accounting, and the exchange of money.
In the foreign policy arena, he adhered to the "policy of new thinking", which contributed to the establishment of international relations and the cessation of the "arms race".
For these "achievements", which led to the collapse of the USSR, Mikhail Sergeevich was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, while the country was in a terrible situation.
Mikhail Gorbachev Most of the Soviet citizens were critical of Gorbachev's actions, because they did not see any practical benefit in his reforms.
1991 referendum
In March 1991, an all-Union referendum was held, in which about 80% of the citizens polled voted for the preservation of the USSR.
In this regard, attempts were made to sign an agreement on the creation of a Union of Sovereign States. However, in the end, all these ideas remained only in words.
August coup
In August 1991, a group of politicians close to Gorbachev formed the GKChP (State Committee for the State of Emergency).
This self-proclaimed body of power, whose leader was Gennady Yanaev, tried to do everything possible to prevent the collapse of the USSR.
After the creation of the GKChP, Yeltsin acted as the main oppositionist of the committee. He stated that the actions of the State Emergency Committee are nothing but a coup d'état.
Causes of the putsch
The main reason for the August coup can be called the negative attitude of people towards Gorbachev's policy.
His famous perestroika did not bring the expected results. Instead, the state experienced an economic and political collapse, and the level of crime and unemployment exceeded all conceivable norms.
Then Mikhail Gorbachev came up with the idea of transforming the USSR into the Union of Sovereign States, which caused indignation among future putschists.
As soon as the president left the capital, the activists immediately attempted an armed uprising. Ultimately, this led to nothing, and the putsch was put down.
Significance of the GKChP coup
As it turned out later, the putsch served as a catalyst for the collapse of the USSR. Every day the situation became more tense.
Tanks of the Soviet army at the Spassky Gate after the coup on August 19, 1991 After the suppression of the putsch, Gorbachev resigned, as a result of which the CPSU collapsed, and all the union republics became independent.
The empire was replaced by 15 independent republics, and the main successor of the USSR was a new state - the Russian Federation.
Belovezhskaya agreements
On December 8, 1991, the Belovezhskaya Accords were signed in Belarus. The heads of 3 republics put their signatures in the documents: Ukraine and Belarus.
The agreements stated that the USSR would officially cease to exist, and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) would be formed instead.
In some republics, separatist sentiments began to emerge, actively supported by the local media.
For example, in Ukraine on December 1, 1991, a referendum was held, which raised the question of the independence of the republic.
Soon he publicly spoke out that Ukraine was refusing the 1922 treaty, which called for the creation of the USSR.
In this regard, Boris Yeltsin began to strengthen his power in Russia even more actively.
Creation of the CIS and the final collapse of the USSR
Meanwhile, in Belarus, Stanislav Shushkevich became the new chairman of the Supreme Soviet. He was the initiator of the meeting of the heads of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, at which key political topics were raised.
In particular, the leaders of the countries tried to discuss the further course of history. The creation of the USSR was denounced, and instead a plan was developed for the formation of the CIS.
It is important to note that the Belovezhskaya agreements became the will of the peoples of the former Soviet republics, and not the decision of 3 presidents.
The ratification of the agreements was approved by the governments of each of the three countries, at the official level.
Conclusion
Thus, within just a few months, a huge superpower collapsed.
What it was: an accidental collapse, a deliberate collapse or the natural end of an empire - history will show.
B. Yeltsin and M. Gorbachev Despite various criticisms of the USSR, during its existence, the Soviet people managed to achieve unprecedented social and economic indicators.
In addition, the state had a huge military potential, and also achieved fantastic results in the space industry.
It is fair to admit that many people still fondly remember life in the Soviet Union.
Now you know all the main events associated with the collapse of the USSR. If you liked this article, please share it on social networks. If you like it at all - subscribe to the site IinterestingFakty.org.
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Today is a significant date: 18 years ago, in December 1991, the Soviet Union officially ordered a long life. It should be noted that in fact the "Union Soviet socialist republics” ceased to exist about a year before, by the time when almost all of its constituent republics declared their sovereignty or even independence. The declarations of these decisions also contained the rejection of the definitions "Soviet" and "socialist", therefore the name of the USSR in 1991 was used only out of inertia. The collapsing state was finally knocked down by the August “coup of shaking hands”, and in December it was all over.
I propose to trace how the former colossus agonized:
1988
February 20th- An extraordinary session of the regional council of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region (NKAR) decided to ask the Supreme Councils of the Azerbaijan and Armenian USSR to transfer the region from Azerbaijan to Armenia, as well as the Supreme Council of the USSR - to support this option for resolving the issue.
June 14- The Supreme Council of the Armenian SSR gave its consent to the inclusion of the NKAR into the republic.
June 17- The Supreme Council of the Azerbaijan SSR decided to keep the NKAO within the AzSSR.
22nd of June- repeated appeal of the regional council of the NKAO to the Supreme Council of the USSR on the transfer of the region to Armenia.
July, 12- The session of the regional council of the NKAO decided to withdraw from the Azerbaijan SSR.
July 18- The Presidium of the Supreme Council of the USSR announced that it considered it impossible to change the borders and the national-territorial division of the Azerbaijan and Armenian SSR established on a constitutional basis.
11 September- the first public call for the restoration of Estonian independence on the Singing Field.
October 6- The Supreme Council of the Latvian SSR adopted a resolution on giving the status of the state language to the Latvian language.
October 30- A popular vote on the question of the language in the Estonian SSR.
November 16- at an extraordinary session of the Supreme Soviet of the Estonian SSR, the Declaration on Sovereignty and the Declaration on the Union Treaty were adopted.
November 17-18- at the session of the Supreme Council of the Lithuanian SSR, an amendment to the constitution of the republic was adopted, providing for giving the status of the state language to the Lithuanian language.
November 26- The Presidium of the Supreme Council of the USSR declared the decisions of the Supreme Council of Estonia dated 11/16/88 invalid due to inconsistency with the constitution of the Union.
December 5-7- The Supreme Council of the Estonian SSR made changes to the constitution of the republic, according to which the Estonian language becomes the state language on its territory.1989
January 12- The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR introduced a special form of government in the NKAO.
February 22- the appeal of the highest authorities and the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Estonian SSR on the announcement of February 24 as the Independence Day of Estonia was published.
18th of March- in the village of Lykhny of the Gudauta region of the Abkhaz ASSR, a gathering of many thousands of Abkhazians took place, in which both ordinary workers and party and government leaders of the republic took part. The question of the political status of the Abkhaz Republic was on the agenda. The meeting resulted in the adoption of a special appeal to the leaders of the USSR and leading scientists of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR - the "Lykhny Appeal" with a request to "return political, economic and cultural sovereignty to Abkhazia within the framework of the Leninist idea of federation." More than 30 thousand people put their signatures under the appeal.
May 7- The session of the Supreme Council of Latvia adopted a law on the language, which gave Latvian the status of a state language.
May 18- The Supreme Council of the Lithuanian SSR adopted the Declaration on the State Sovereignty of the Republic. The Supreme Soviets of Lithuania and Estonia condemned the Soviet-German treaty of 1939 and demanded that it be recognized as illegal from the moment it was signed. Later, the Supreme Council of Latvia joined them.
May 29- The Supreme Council of the Armenian SSR adopted a decree recognizing May 28 as the Day of the Restoration of Armenian Statehood.
June 6- a message was published on the adoption by the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian SSR of a law on languages, by which Ukrainian gets the status of a state language, Russian is recognized as the language of interethnic communication.
July 28th- The Supreme Council of the Latvian SSR adopted a law on the sovereignty of the republic.
August 22- The commission of the Supreme Council of the Lithuanian SSR for the study of German-Soviet treaties and their consequences stated that, since these treaties are illegal, they have no legal force, which means that the Declaration on the entry of Lithuania into the USSR and the USSR Law on the admission of the Lithuanian SSR to the USSR are not valid.
September 1- The session of the Supreme Council of the Moldavian SSR adopted a law on the language, recognizing Moldavian as the state language, Moldavian and Russian as languages of interethnic communication.
September 19- convened a plenum of the Central Committee of the CPSU on the national question.
23 September- The Supreme Council of the Azerbaijan SSR adopted a law on the sovereignty of the republic.
September 25- The Lithuanian Supreme Soviet declared the accession of the republic to the USSR in 1940 illegal.
October 21- The Supreme Council of the Uzbek SSR adopted a law on the state language (Uzbek).
10th of November- The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR adopted a resolution on the inconsistency of certain legislative acts of the union republics (Azerbaijan, the Baltic states) with the constitution of the USSR. The Council of People's Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous Region of the Georgian SSR decided to transform it into an autonomous republic.
November 19- The Supreme Council of the Georgian SSR adopted an amendment to the republican constitution, giving it the right to veto union laws and declaring natural resources the property of the republic. The right to freely secede from the USSR was confirmed.
November 27- The Supreme Council of the USSR adopted a law on the economic independence of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
December 1- The Supreme Council of the Armenian SSR adopted a resolution "On the reunification of the Armenian SSR and Nagorno-Karabakh."
December 3- a referendum was held in Rybnitsa on the advisability of establishing a Pridnestrovian Autonomous Socialist Republic. 91.1% of those who took part in the voting supported the creation of autonomy.
December 4- The Supreme Council of the Azerbaijan SSR adopted a resolution "On measures to normalize the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of the Azerbaijan SSR."
December 7- The Supreme Council of Lithuania canceled the 6th article of the constitution of the republic on the leading and guiding role of the Communist Party.1990
January 10- The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR adopted resolutions on the inconsistency of the Armenian acts on the NKAO with the constitution of the USSR and the incompetence of the Azerbaijani decisions.
January 15- The Presidium of the Supreme Council of the USSR adopted a decree "On declaring a state of emergency in the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region and some other regions."
January 19- the independence of the Nakhichevan ASSR was proclaimed
January 22- The Supreme Soviet of the Azerbaijan SSR declared the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated 19.01.90 aggression against the republic.
January 26- The Supreme Council of the Byelorussian SSR adopted a law on languages, according to which Belarusian was proclaimed the state language of the republic.
9th of March- The Supreme Council of Georgia adopted a decree on guarantees for the protection of the republic's sovereignty. The treaty of 1921 and the union treaty of 1922 were denounced.
11th of March- session of the Supreme Council of Lithuania. The act "On the restoration of the independent Lithuanian state" was adopted. The Lithuanian SSR was renamed the Republic of Lithuania. The effect of the Constitution of the USSR and the Lithuanian SSR on the territory of the republic was cancelled.
March 12- The III Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR canceled the 6th article of the Constitution of the USSR ("The guiding and guiding force of the Soviet society, the core of its political system, state and public organizations is the CPSU"). After that, about 30 different parties arose in a few days.
March 14th- At the same Congress, a decision was made to establish the post of President of the USSR. He elected General Secretary of the Central Committee of the CPSU and Chairman of the Supreme Council M.S. Gorbachev.
March 23- The Communist Party of the Estonian SSR announced its withdrawal from the CPSU.
March 24- at the session of the Supreme Soviet of the Uzbek SSR, the 1st Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party I.A. Karimov.
30th of March- The Supreme Council of Estonia adopted the law "On the state status of Estonia", which denies the legitimacy of the USSR state power in Estonia from the moment it was established and proclaims the beginning of the restoration of the Republic of Estonia.
April 3- The Supreme Council of the USSR adopted the law "On the procedure for resolving issues related to the withdrawal of a union republic from the USSR." In particular, they declared legally void the declarations of the Supreme Soviets of the Baltic republics on the annulment of entry into the USSR and the legal consequences and decisions arising from this.
April 24- The Supreme Council of the Kazakh SSR elected the first secretary of the Communist Party N.A. Nazarbayev.
26 April- The Supreme Council of the USSR adopted the law "On the delimitation of powers between the USSR and the subjects of the federation." According to him, "autonomous republics are Soviet socialist states that are subjects of the federation - the USSR"
May 4th- The Supreme Council of Latvia adopted the Declaration on the Restoration of the Independence of the Republic of Latvia.
May 8- The Estonian SSR is officially renamed the Republic of Estonia.
12 June- The 1st Congress of People's Deputies of the RSFSR adopted the Declaration on State Sovereignty of the RSFSR.
June 20- The Supreme Council of Uzbekistan adopted the Declaration on the Sovereignty of the Uzbek SSR.
June 23- The Supreme Council of Moldova adopted the Declaration of Sovereignty of the SSR Moldova, and also approved the Conclusion of the Special Commission on the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, in which the creation of the Moldavian SSR was declared illegal, and Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina were declared occupied Romanian territories.
July 16- The Supreme Council of the Ukrainian SSR adopted the Declaration on the State Sovereignty of Ukraine.
July 20- The Supreme Council of the North Ossetian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic adopted the Declaration on the State Sovereignty of the Republic.
July 27- The Supreme Soviet of the Byelorussian SSR adopted the Declaration on the State Sovereignty of Belarus.
August 1- the Statement of the Council of the Baltic States was published stating that they do not consider it possible to participate in the development of the Union Treaty.
August 17- M.S. Gorbachev on maneuvers in the Odessa military district: "In the form in which the Soviet Union has existed so far, it has exhausted its capabilities."
August 19- The independence of Gagauzia from Moldova was proclaimed.
August 22- The Supreme Council of the Republic adopted the Declaration "On State Independence of the Turkmen SSR".
August 23- The Supreme Council of the Armenian SSR adopted the Declaration of Independence. A new name was approved: "Republic of Armenia", which, however, remained part of the USSR.
24 August- The Supreme Council of Tajikistan adopted the Declaration on State Sovereignty of the Tajik SSR.
25-th of August- The Abkhaz part of the deputies of the Supreme Council of the Abkhaz ASSR adopted the Declaration "On the state sovereignty of the Abkhaz SSR" and the resolution "On legal guarantees for the protection of the statehood of Abkhazia."
August, 26th- The Supreme Council of the Georgian SSR declared the acts of the Supreme Council of Abkhazia invalid.
September 2- at the II Extraordinary Congress of Deputies of all levels of Pridnestrovie, it was decided to proclaim the Pridnestrovian Moldavian SSR as part of the Soviet Union.
September 3- by the decision of the Supreme Council of the SSR Moldova, M.I. was appointed the President of the Republic. Snegur.
September 20- The Council of People's Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous Region proclaimed the South Ossetian Soviet Democratic Republic, the Declaration of National Sovereignty was adopted.
the 25th of October- The Supreme Council of the Kazakh SSR adopted the Declaration on the state sovereignty of the republic.
27th October- President of the Academy of Sciences A.A. Akaev. The 1st Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and Chairman of the Supreme Soviet S.A. was elected President of the Turkmen SSR by popular vote. Niyazov ("for" voted 98.3% of voters).
November 14- The Supreme Council of the Republic of Georgia adopted the law “On Declaring a Transitional Period” in order to prepare the foundations for “restoring the full state independence of Georgia”. All former state attributes of the Georgian SSR (anthem, state flag and coat of arms) have been changed.
November 24- a draft Union Treaty, providing for the creation of a Union of sovereign Soviet republics, was submitted for public discussion.
December 15- The Supreme Soviet of the Kirghiz SSR adopted the Declaration on State Sovereignty of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan.
December 9-10- Elections to the Supreme Council of the South Ossetian Republic (residents of Georgian nationality boycotted them). T. Kulumbegov was elected Chairman of the Supreme Council. The Supreme Council of the Republic of Georgia decided to abolish the Ossetian autonomy.
December 17- at the first meeting of the IV Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR, a proposal was put forward for a vote of no confidence in the President of the USSR (author - S. Umalatova).
December 22- Decree of the President of the USSR "On measures to normalize the situation in the SSR Moldova", which drew attention to the fact that "in a number of acts adopted by the Supreme Council of the Republic, the civil rights of the population of non-Moldovan nationality are infringed." At the same time, the decisions on the proclamation of the Gagauz Republic and the TMSSR were declared null and void.
December 24- The 4th Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR, at the initiative of the President, adopted a resolution on holding a USSR referendum on the question of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
27th of December- at the IV Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR, G.N. Yanaev. The Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR adopted a resolution declaring January 7 (Christmas Day) a non-working day.
? December- The Supreme Council of the Adzharian ASSR of the Georgian SSR decided to rename it to the Adzharian Autonomous Republic.1991
January 12- in Tallinn, the Treaty on the Fundamentals of Interstate Relations between the RSFSR and the Republic of Estonia was signed. In Article I of the Treaty, the parties recognized each other as independent states.
January 20th- the first referendum in the history of the USSR was held on the territory of the Crimean Autonomous Region, in which 81.3% of voters participated. To the question: “Are you for the re-establishment of the Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic as a subject of the USSR and a participant in the Union Treaty?” - 93.26% of the referendum participants answered positively.
28 January- President of the USSR M.S. Gorbachev confirmed the constitutional right of Estonia (and other union republics) to withdraw from the USSR.
February- By the beginning of the month, the decision not to participate in the referendum on March 17 was announced by the Baltic republics, as well as Armenia, Georgia and Moldova. Lithuanian independence is recognized by Iceland.
12th of February- The Supreme Soviet of Ukraine adopted the Law "On the Restoration of the Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic" (within the territory of the Crimean region as part of the Ukrainian SSR).
March, 3rd- a referendum on the independence of the Republic of Estonia, in which only successive citizens of the Republic of Estonia (mainly Estonians by nationality), as well as persons who received the so-called "green cards" of the Congress of Estonia, took part. 78% of those who voted supported the idea of independence from the USSR.
9th of March- the revised draft of the Treaty on the Union of Sovereign Republics was published.
March 17- A USSR referendum was held on the issue of preserving the Soviet Union as a renewed federation of equal sovereign republics. It was held in 9 union republics (RSFSR, Ukraine, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan), as well as in the republics that are part of the RSFSR, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Georgia, in Transnistria.
April 9- The Supreme Council of the Republic of Georgia adopted the “Act on the Restoration of the State Independence of Georgia”.
May 4th- The assembly of deputies of the councils of South Ossetia at all levels voted (with 1 vote against) for the abolition of the self-proclaimed Republic of South Ossetia and the return to the status of an autonomous region. This decision was rejected by the Supreme Council of Georgia.
22nd of May- The Supreme Soviet of the USSR adopted a resolution demanding that the text of the draft Union Treaty be brought into line with the results of the referendum.
May, 23rd- The Supreme Council of the SSR Moldova adopted a law on renaming the Republic of Moldova.
26 of May- presidential elections were held in Georgia, which were won by the chairman of the Supreme Council Z.K. Gamsakhurdia.
June 7- The Supreme Council of Ukraine decided to transfer all state-owned enterprises and organizations of union subordination under the control of the republic.
12 June- elections of the President of the RSFSR, the victory was won by the Chairman of the Supreme Council B.N. Yeltsin (57.30% of the votes "for").
July 17th- an Appeal to the Supreme Soviet of the USSR was published by representatives of the regions (Pridnestrovian Moldavian SSR, Gagauz Republic, Abkhaz Autonomous Republic, South Ossetian Autonomous Okrug, Interregional Council of the Estonian SSR, Shalchininkai region of the Lithuanian SSR), whose population expressed a desire to remain part of the renewed Union.
July 23- the next meeting of heads of delegations of the republics in Novo-Ogaryovo. Work on the draft Union Treaty has been completed. The signing of the agreement is scheduled for August 20.
July 29- Russia recognized the independence of Lithuania.
August 15- The draft Treaty on the Union of Sovereign States (the Union of Soviet Sovereign Republics) was published.
August 19- "Appeal of the Soviet leadership" on the creation of the State Emergency Committee for the effective implementation of the state of emergency.
August 20- The Supreme Council of the Republic of Estonia adopted the Resolution “On the State Independence of Estonia”.
August 21- The Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia adopted the Constitutional Law on the State Status of the Republic.
August 22- Decree of the President of the USSR "On the abolition of anti-constitutional acts of the organizers of the coup."
August 23- Yeltsin signed a decree on the suspension of the activities of the Communist Party of the RSFSR, its property was confiscated. Disbanded the Communist Party of Moldova.
24 August- The Supreme Council of the Ukrainian SSR proclaimed Ukraine an independent democratic state. Yeltsin announced the recognition of the independence of the Baltic republics by the RSFSR.
25-th of August- The Supreme Soviet of the Byelorussian SSR decided to give the Declaration of State Sovereignty the status of a constitutional law. Decrees were also adopted to ensure the political and economic independence of the republic and to suspend the activities of the Communist Party. The Supreme Council of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian SSR adopted the "Declaration of Independence of the PMSSR".
August 27- The emergency session of the Supreme Council of Moldova adopted the law "On the Declaration of Independence", which declared the law of 02.08.40 "On the Formation of the Union Moldavian SSR" null and void.
August 30- The Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan adopted the Declaration of Independence of the Republic.
August 31- the Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan was adopted (September 1 was declared Independence Day). The independence of Kyrgyzstan was proclaimed.
September 1- The session of the Council of People's Deputies of South Ossetia canceled the decisions of the Assembly of Deputies of Councils of all levels on May 4, 1991 as legally incompetent, abolished the Assembly as an unconstitutional body and proclaimed the Republic of South Ossetia as part of the RSFSR. This decision was annulled by the Georgian parliament.
September 2- at the joint session of the Nagorno-Karabakh regional and Shaumyan district councils of people's deputies of Azerbaijan, the creation of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic was proclaimed. The IV Congress of Deputies of all levels of Pridnestrovie approved the constitution, flag and coat of arms of the PMSSR.
6 September- In connection with the declaration of independence of Ukraine, the extraordinary session of the Supreme Council of the Crimean Autonomy adopted the Declaration on the State Sovereignty of the Republic of Crimea.
6 September- The State Council of the USSR at its first meeting recognized the independence of the Baltic republics.
9th of September- In connection with the declaration of independence, the Tajik SSR was renamed the Republic of Tajikistan.
September 17- Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia became full members of the United Nations.
September 19- The Byelorussian SSR was renamed the Republic of Belarus, a new state emblem and a new state flag were adopted.
September 21- According to the results of the referendum in Armenia, the vast majority of the population voted for secession from the USSR and the establishment of independent statehood. The Supreme Council of the Republic adopted the "Declaration of Independence of Armenia".
October 1- in the course of work on the Union Treaty, a new name for the future union arose: "The Union of Free Sovereign Republics."
October 18- In the Kremlin, the President of the USSR and the leaders of 8 republics (excluding Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and Azerbaijan) signed the Treaty on the Economic Community of Sovereign States. At the Congress of Judges of Russia B.N. Yeltsin said that Russia had stopped funding the union ministries (except for the ministries of defense, communications and nuclear energy).
October 21- The first session of the Supreme Council of the USSR renewed by the republics was opened.
27th October- Following the results of the referendum, the Supreme Council of the Turkmen SSR adopted the Declaration of Independence, approved a new name: Turkmenistan.
October 31- The Congress of People's Deputies of the RSFSR approved a new state flag - white-blue-red.
Nov. 1- an alternative draft of the Union Treaty was presented, in which the future union is defined as the "Union of sovereign states - a confederal state", acting within the framework of the powers voluntarily delegated by its participants.
November 5- in connection with the actual collapse of the USSR, by the decision of the Supreme Council, the Pridnestrovian Moldavian SSR was renamed the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic.
November 6- Yeltsin signed a decree on the termination of activities on the territory of the RSFSR of the CPSU, the dissolution of its organizational structures and the nationalization of property. The Supreme Council of Ukraine gave its consent to the initialing by the government of the republic of the Treaty on the Economic Community, which was signed on the same day.
15th of November- Yeltsin formed under his leadership a new government of the RSFSR ("reform cabinet") and signed a package of 10 presidential decrees and government decrees on a real transition to a market economy.
November 18th- at the session of the Supreme Council, the state flag of the Republic of Uzbekistan was approved, the law on presidential elections was adopted.
November 23- The Supreme Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan adopted a resolution on the liquidation of the NKAR. The Supreme Soviet of the USSR recognized this decision as invalid.
November 24- Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic R.N. was elected the first president of Tajikistan. Nabiev.
November 27- the last draft of the Union Treaty was published: "Treaty on the Union of Sovereign States". The last meeting of the USSR State Council was on the issue of the aggravation of the situation between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
December 1- a referendum in Ukraine on the independence of the republic (90.32% of those who voted "for") and presidential elections (L.M. Kravchuk). A referendum on the autonomy of Transcarpathia, 78% of those who voted were in favor. Presidential elections in Kazakhstan (98.7% of voters voted for N.A. Nazarbayev). Referendum on the independence of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic: 78% of voters took part in the voting, of which 97.7% voted "for".
December 3- The Supreme Council of the USSR approved the draft Treaty on the Union of Sovereign States. Vnesheconombank of the USSR began to freely sell foreign currency to citizens (purchase - 90 rubles for $1, sale - 99 rubles for $1).
December 4- the statement of the President of the RSFSR on the recognition of the independence of Ukraine was published.
5th of December- The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the "Message to the Parliaments and Peoples of All Countries". In particular, it was announced that the Union Treaty of 1922 had become invalid.
December 8- the leaders of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus at a meeting in the residence "Viskuli" in Belovezhskaya Pushcha announced: "The Union of the SSR as a subject of international law and geopolitical reality ceases to exist." The Statement of the Heads of State on the Formation of the Commonwealth of Independent States was signed. M.I. was elected in the presidential elections in Moldova. Snegur.
December 10- The Supreme Council of the Republic of Belarus ratified the Agreement on the establishment of the CIS and adopted a resolution on the denunciation of the Treaty of 1922 on the formation of the USSR. The Supreme Council of Ukraine ratified the Belovezhskaya agreement. A referendum was held on the status of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (99.89% of the participants voted for independence).
December 11th- Kyrgyzstan and Armenia announced their accession to the CIS.
12 December- The Supreme Council of the RSFSR ratified the Agreement on the establishment of the CIS (76.1% of those who voted "for").
December 13th- meeting of the heads of states of Central Asia and Kazakhstan in Ashgabat, the initiative to create the CIS was approved.
December 16- The Supreme Council of Kazakhstan adopted the Law on the State Independence of the Republic.
December 18- Gorbachev's message to the participants of the future meeting in Alma-Ata on the creation of the CIS. In particular, it proposed "the most appropriate name: the Commonwealth of European and Asian States." Russia recognized the independence of Moldova.
December 19th- Yeltsin announced the termination of the activities of the USSR Foreign Ministry.
20th of December- The Presidium of the Supreme Council of the RSFSR adopted a resolution on the abolition of the State Bank of the USSR.
21 December- in Alma-Ata, the signing of the "Declaration on the goals and principles of the CIS" (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine) took place. "With the formation of the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics ceases to exist." Ukraine recognized the independence of Moldova. In Georgia, units of the National Guard led by T. Kitovani rebelled against the regime of Z.K. Gamsakhurdia.
December 24- The USSR officially ceased to be a member of the United Nations. His place was taken by the Russian Federation, which also received the rights of a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
December 25- Gorbachev made a statement on television about the termination of his activities as President of the USSR and Supreme Commander-in-Chief. Following this, the red flag was lowered on the Kremlin, replaced by the Russian tricolor. After the resignation, Gorbachev transferred to Yeltsin the residence in the Kremlin and the so-called. "Nuclear Suitcase" The Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR decided to adopt a new official name for the republic - the Russian Federation (Russia). The United States announced the official recognition of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
December 26- under the chairmanship of the Kazakh writer A.T. Alimzhanov, the last meeting of the Council of Republics, the upper chamber of the Supreme Council of the USSR, took place. An official declaration No. 142-N was adopted, which states that with the creation of the CIS, the USSR as a state and subject of international law ceases to exist. The activity of the Supreme Soviet itself is also terminated.
27th of December- In the morning, Yeltsin took Gorbachev's office in the Kremlin.
December 29th- I.A. was elected the first president of Uzbekistan. Karimov (86% of votes "for").
The collapse of the USSR occurred in 1991, and the history of Russia began. Numerous states that quite recently called themselves "brothers forever" now fiercely defended the right to sovereignty, and even fought with each other.
Meanwhile reasons for the collapse of the USSR lie on the surface, moreover, the collapse of the Soviet empire was inevitable.
Reasons for the collapse of the USSR: why did the Union collapse?
Historians, sociologists and political scientists identify several main reasons collapse of the USSR:
- Totalitarian regime. A country where any dissent is punishable by death, imprisonment or a certificate of incapacity is doomed to death, so only the "capture" will be at least a little weakened and citizens will be able to raise their heads.
- International conflicts. Despite the declared "brotherhood of peoples", in reality the Soviet state simply turned a blind eye to ethnic strife, preferred not to notice and hush up the problem. Therefore, at the end of the 80s, a long-awaited explosion occurred in several places at once - these are Georgia, and Chechnya, and Karabakh, and Tatarstan.
- Economic downturn. After the global fall in oil prices, the Union had a hard time - many still remember the total shortage of all products and huge queues.
- Iron Curtain and Cold War. The Soviet Union artificially whipped up anti-Western hysteria, convincing its citizens that there were only enemies everywhere, spending huge amounts of money on defense and the arms race, ridiculing and forbidding any trends from the rest of the world. The forbidden fruit is sweet, and over time, the Soviet people began to feel much more trust in both the things and the ideas of the Western world.
From the USSR to the CIS.
1991 became the year of the collapse of the USSR, and Mikhail Gorbachev resigned as president. A new state arose - Russia, and a new "union" of free independent countries - the CIS. This association included all the former republics of the Soviet Union - but now each of them lived according to its own laws, maintaining only neighborly relations with others.
